Author’s 2005 note . . .

Since the first printing in late 2000, HOW NOT TO PROMOTE CONCERTS AND MUSIC FESTIVALS has helped hundreds of promoters around the world, both fledgling and established. Sincere thanks go out to all of the book’s readers who emailed, called or wrote to express how the book gave them the insight they were looking for. “It was a great guide” many said.

The reason for the book was to try to bring some semblance of order to an anything but orderly business. This industry’s operations standards have always been up to interpretation. The fact is that most professional promoters will have to do the same things, and that many professionals are doing things basically the same way.

There needs to be some forms, some policies and many realities in your market that any good promoter needs to recognize, use, and would agree on. No college degrees are offered for the concert and festival business. The book/ manual hopes to help standardize methods, documents and some ethics in pursuit of answering your questions and giving you more confidence when making decisions that will directly effect your chances of success. To dive into the concert or music festival business blind without either this manual or lack of experience or both could be fatal.

The book has grown from about 165 pages in 2000 to 321+ heavily edited ones today. The book/manual has changed as the live entertainment has changed in the same period of time.

Many areas of the book have been improved in just the last year. Changes and additions are made every six months but were only finally edited for the new- improved and expanded 2005 edition. Updated, there is now more reference data, marketing developments, sponsor and investor information.

In a time when the successful independent promoter feels increasing pressure from the competition of big promoters, the fact is that your energy and unique style of marketing and production- allows you the opportunity to flank the big guys. Enjoy the fruits that making profit and having fun can provide in the concert and music festival business.

In what seems at times a country of saturated markets, there is always an opportunity to enter into promoting shows and/or music festivals. Your promotional ideas are only limited to the cash on hand and your drive! The book will help keep you on track wherever you go.

I hope your promoting dreams come true. Read and prosper.

Hal R. Abramson